Its getting hot in here!!!

Bad news...not playing flag football this week. For some reason, guys like to play  in the rain and on muddy fields. I do not mind playing in the cold but cold and wet is another issue. Luckily, (at least I thought I was lucky), I came across a deal that offers 15 Bikram yoga classes for $25; which I thought was a steal. I am thinking its just regular yoga; you do the tree, a warrior pose and some downward dog. To my surprise, it is yoga that is practiced in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40%.  I am a little intimidated (and I have asthma), so it will be interesting to see how my first session turns out. Any who, I know many of us do not want to pay much money for gym memberships and often times do not use them. Check out services like Groupon, Redeemio and LivingSocial Deals, that provide tremendous deals on things in your area; especially cool exercise classes. The other week, they offered four spin classes or yoga classes for $1.


Well.....wish me luck...I'm off to hot yoga! 

Flag vs Tackle

So...I have been having a major problem finding the physical activity that works best for me. I am no where near over weight but I know the benefit of a good 3 mile jog and a couple of laps around the pool. Unfortunately, I have no desire to do either of those things. 

So the other day, I decide to try something new. I practically went kicking and screaming but thank goodness I went anyway. I arrived to the field and I was handed a belt with red flags hanging around it. Yep...co-ed flag football! At first, I was a little apprehensive...I did not know where to run, and I definitely did not know what they meant by playing zone or man. 

Half way through the game, I was feeling great. I was running  and I even caught the ball a couple of time. Go figure! It was the most refreshed I have felt in a long time.

Needless to say, for the next 5 days I was in pain...silly me, I forgot to stretch. Despite the 5 days of pain, I will definitely be hitting the field tomorrow. I only wish we could actually tackle one another....the flag thing is such a bore.

Don't be afraid to try something...you never know what may come of it.....Look at me, I'm playing co-ed flag football!

French fries vs. Almonds

I'm a busy body...I like to keep my plate full. What's life without adventure?...exactly...a collection of uneventful days strung together.

So, I guess you might think I eat a hearty breakfast to keep my energy up during the day, right? NOT! Ever since I could remember, breakfast and I have not been on the greatest terms....if I eat too early, my stomach hurts for the rest of the day. Am I alone with this problem? Probably not.

My key to sustaining throughout the day...SNACKING! I snack all day long. Yesterday, I think I had probably 6 snacks throughout the day. I had a peach, a kiwi, a handful of grapes, kettle chips, wheat thins/laughing cow light Swiss cheese and a Twix.

I know what you are saying..."Eww yuck!...She eats so healthy! (well, minus the Twix)...Certainly not the case! I try. All I can say is...Practice makes perfect. If you had asked me my snacking habits two-three years ago, french fries, would have definitely been in the equation daily.

While, french fries are my all time favorite, they only make the list once every other week. The key is to slowly introduce those healthy snacks in your daily routine. If you go cold turkey...you are bound to fully relapse to unhealthy snacking. You will be amazed at how your palate changes and you will start to crave those healthy snacks!

Now...instead of running to the nearest fast food restaurant for french fries and can get my snack fix right in my lunch bag....those tasty almonds are just as delicious!

Check out this information reported by CNN Health on Snacking

Organic vs Organic vs Organic

We, "health" conscious consumers, should be ecstatic because of the recent emergence of the healthier options available when we shop at various establishments. Salads are popping up on fast food menus along side grilled chicken sandwiches; natural soaps and shampoos with kiwi and shea butter as main ingredients line store shelves...this is the life! ...Even more promising is the organic label we see plastered on items in the greenwise aisle when we head to the supermarket. Each day, there is a growing stampede headed to the "organic" labeled products because we are increasingly aware of what goes in our bodies is what we get out of them... We now want "natural" "unsynthesized" products. In colloquial terms "natural" and "unsynthesized" equates to "organic."

What does "organic" really mean? Who makes the final distinction of whether something is organic vs inorganic? Are there degrees of organicness? Society uses the term so loosely, I'm often skeptical if what I'm buying is organic. On trips to my local grocer, I find myself holding two food items both claiming to be organic yet displaying different labels i.e. USDA Organic and 100% Organic. Is that the same thing? Apparently not...

The US Department of Agriculture is responsible for identifying and regulating "organic" foods and thirdly, making the varying "organic" food labels we see at the grocery store. Still, what do each of them mean? Fortunately, the awesome people at AllYou have made a little cheat list for quick reference. It makes life a lot easier when comparing how "organic" certain foods claim to be in the stores. Check it out!

• USDA Organic: Single-ingredient foods (fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, eggs or cheese) certified under USDA rules and multi-ingredient products made with at least 95 percent organic ingredients earn this label.
• 100 percent Organic: All the ingredients in multi-ingredient foods with this label are organic. There is no qualitative difference between this and the USDA organic label.
• Organic: Products bearing this label contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. The remaining ingredients are not available organically but have been approved by the USDA’s National Organic Program.
• Made With Organic Ingredients: Products that have this phrase on their label must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

However, it still remains to be seen whether these foods are truly organic. My general rule of thumb is the less processed, the less ingredients listed and those that will spoil the quickest are the best to choose- these are the most natural foods.

Then there is the question of whether there is any health benefit of eating "organic" foods vs "inorganic" foods....in my "expert" opinion, when you introduce foreign substances into your body, there is an increased probability that your body could negatively react or negatively be altered. For me, I'd rather decrease my chances of an adverse reaction that could have been prevented by eating "organic" foods. Wouldn't you?

http://www.allyou.com/food/family-meals/understand-what-organic-really-means-00400000047128/

Bloody Mary, anyone?

So today, I took an early morning flight to visit my family. Got to the airport on time; didn't have to check in ( gotta love the online check-in)...no bags to check ( had a carry-on). Security check point was a breeze... transit to the terminal was perfect and I arrived to the gate with 50 minutes to spare. GREAT!

Since it was early morning, of course I needed a little to nibble on...a bacon croissant...YUMMY! Hold the drink, I can get that for free on the flight.

So I settle in my seat on the flight and gobble down my breakfast before we take off. I'm usually not a breakfast person but today I had quite an appetite. I decide to take a nap to cover the burning desire for a drink. I know the service cart will not be making its way down the aisle until we are at the appropriate cruising altitude.

Finally, DING, " You are now allowed to move around the cabin." Drink time! I see the cart approaching my row...what should I get to drink? A pineapple or guava juice would be nice. The person in front of me asks for a Bloody Mary. Seriously?...in the morning. The person across the aisle asks for some sort of beer. Sadly, if I were to ask for a pineapple or guava juice, I'd get disgusting stares. How is it that you can get an array of alcoholic beverages but the extent of the healthy fruit juices is apple, orange and cranberry? Water, please!

So when I got home I decide to look up alcoholic beverages offered on different airlines. Some airlines are actually serving Signature drinks. Well, if thats the case, can I get a real fruit smoothie?

I'm still torn on whether they should serve alcohol in-flight. I do like to enjoy an occasional wine and spirit myself. However, it must be noted that alcohol provides empty calories. Alcohol provides 7kcal per gram; that's more than the 4kcal that carbohydrates provide. Unfortunately, it has NO nutritional value.

Let's think....Do we really need alcohol in-flight? Personally, I think its more of a luxury. As a result, I'm petitioning for the sell of real fruit smoothies in-flight. Hey, if you can get a cocktail with Bacardi Rum with mango or peach, I should be able to get a smoothie with acai berries, mango and banana.

Itchy Scratchy

I think 1 out of every 10 people suffer from some sort of skin disorder like eczema. Unfortunately, I'm the one out of the 10...Ode to Joy. So for the past couple of weeks I have had a major flare up and I really do not know why...it's really mind boggling. Now, I've had this crap since a child, actually I had the combo...the asthma, slight bronchitis which makes for the good old atopic skin- lucky me. I had steroid creams and inhalers galore. However, by the time I reached middle school I was a master at avoiding flare ups and attacks without the use of my prescription drugs. Cool right? I know. Sadly, for the past couple of weeks I've looked like I have leprosy ( I exaggerate!)

Of course I refuse to use steroidal creams...I know I can beat this with natural remedies. So, for the past week I took to the internet and have been researching natural remedies... sea salt baths, shea butter massages...tomorrow I'm going out to by an aloe plant! However, these only provide temporary relief. The most important information that I seem to forget, like

most of us, is you get out what you put in...meaning diet is a key factor. Raw foods, fiber, foods high in omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins A and E help to combat against eczema flare ups; whereas foods with additives, refined sugars are culprits in skin disorder inflammation.

Additionally, exercise and reducing stress are key in fighting skin disorders. They release toxins and reduce inflammations.

I still don't know what triggered my flare up but having it has allowed me the opportunity to remember that diet, exercise, mental balance and health are all connected.

So for the next couple of days, I'll be trying to eat better, exercise more and stop stressing about so must to relieve my Itchy Scratchy!

Wish me luck....

http://skintreat.net/education.html

http://www.getbest.info/natural-cure-for-eczema/

Just Say NO to Drugs

So today I am looking at the 12 o'clock news and the reporter says, "Up next, FDA is set to review three new obesity drugs." ARE YOU SERIOUS? When did obesity become an illness that needed to be treated by drugs?

The three new obesity drugs are Vivus Inc.'s Qnexa, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Lorcaserin and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc.'s Contrave.

Such news is a testament to the power of pharmaceutical companies. Now as a scientist, I am an advocate for life saving drugs...I mean, the field of science has helped eradicate diseases, improved our quality of life and just been an all around blessing. However, with most drugs there is always a side affect. Hence, my philosophy is if which ever ailment you are suffering from can be treated by behavior modification (change in lifestyle habits) or through some natural remedy, choose those and not a drug that may have potential risks.

Obesity's recent placement on the list of chronic diseases is absurd...that could have definitely been prevented. We must take more responsibility for our actions and not the easy way out... like popping a pill. Get real people...Yes, you can enjoy a french fry here and there and even a good southern Sunday dinner inspired by butter-loving Paula Deen but everything in moderation.

Please believe me when I say pharmaceutical companies are not interested in fighting obesity...they want your money. If they really cared, they'd tell you to put down the remote control, toss the bag of chips and go outside, ride a bike and afterward eat a nice small serving of yogurt.

Let's work to get obesity off the chronic disease list WITHOUT the assistance of Vivus Inc., Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc..

Fruit salad anyone?

Three New Obesity Drugs

Please eat with your hands and lick your fingers after you finish

So we are having family dinner, we are all seated around the table. Grilled fish, garden salad, saffron rice and ice chilled lemonade. I look over and my little sister is eating her salad with her hands. I say, "Ewww yuck, that's so nasty" "Use your fork!" She replies, "but it taste better like this and it's easier to pick up!"

Not until today did I realize she was right! Any food we typically eat with our fingers is ALWAYS delicious. Think about it...chicken wings, nachos, pita with hummus, veggies and dip...but then there are those foods we, as "westerners,"

wouldn't dare eat without the aid of a fork, knife or spoon. Ironically, in other societies eating with your fingers is the norm. So, what's our problem?

If you look at our anatomy, we are fully capable of eating without these simple machines. The opposable thumb, canine teeth, all enable us to consume all types of food. Most of us struggle at the table using that darn silverware anyway. Trying to cut that piece of meat into acceptable bite-size pieces....what a pain. And how about trying to get the last pinch of corn kernels that keep falling through the teeth of the fork or won't go on the spoon? DOUBLE pain in the tooshie. Eating with your hands allows complete control of your food...so why not use them?

And now to the most important part...FOOD IS MORE ENJOYABLE WHEN YOU EAT IT WITH YOUR HANDS! I can not explain this phenomenon and won't try. The proof is in the pudding. Just think about it.

The added benefit of enjoying your food is usually better digestion and complete satiety, which leads to a better functioning body. So, tell me again why we don't eat more foods with our hands?

To help you begin the switch from metal to flesh, I have included tips to properly eat with your hands in public (when you are at home, just go at it...I know I do):

Tip 1: Wash your hands...no really wash your hands well...with SOAP!

Tip 2: When eating bread, tear off a piece that is no bigger than two bites worth and eat that before tearing off another. If butter is provided, butter the small piece just before eating it.

Tip 3: (using Indian etiquette) When eating rice like foods, eat with your right hand and only with your fingers, never the palm. Use the thumb to catapult the food in your mouth.

Tip 4: (using Kenyan technique of eating ugali): When eating a sauce or stew, tear off a piece of doughy bread , shape it into a scoop by making an indentation with your thumb, and scoop the sauce or stew with it.

Tip 5: Always lick your fingers after you finish ( be prepared for stares of disgust but who cares...the most important thing is enjoying your food.)

Well, I'm off to eat my homemade brownie ala mode...with my FINGERS!

Check out other hand eaters:

http://jamfaced.blogspot.com/2006/04/eating-with-your-hands.html

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/eat-with-your-hands/

Am I going to make it?: Step Class at 8:30 AM Tomorrow Morning

Stephen is hyper active, wears spandex and has spikey hair. He plays techno music and seems to never tire. For an entire hour he makes me and 30 other poor souls skip, step and jump on, over and around this mini step thingy. After 30 minutes, half the class has given up and left for the rest of the session. Not me, though I am not a regular in the class, I think, "hey, I danced for years and I'm half his age, there is no way I'm leaving this class feeling defeated." Sadly, five minutes later, I'm seriously contemplating sneaking out the side door- hey- I have an excuse, I have asthma. That's me at least twice a month when I actually make it to the 8:30 Am Step class with Stephen at the gym. Now I am to the point where my muscles are starting to tingle- meaning I am not getting enough oxygen for my cells to aerobically breakdown pyruvate to create more energy for me to use and lactic acid is collecting in my body ( told you I had a couple of science degrees). Water break. Now, its time to go hard or go home, Stephen has completely lost it and my arms and legs are feeling extra heavy and I can not see a thing. I don't think I'm going to make. The time is 9:20 AM, "Thank God, now we get to lay on the floor and start the cool down process." 9:30 AM We are all finished and i'm ready to do it again! I feel like a million bucks!

'That's how I feel every time I leave the gym. So why don't I do it more often? Well, I love my bed, I always find other things I "need" to do and I don't feel like driving to the gym. Yeah, yeah, I know- poor excuses but it's the truth. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll make it to class but if I don't, there is always the good old method of blasting that favorite radio station and dancing around the room for an hour until your back and

underarms get sticky. It's better than nothing!

Broccoli Mango Salad

For any of you who know me personally, knows I do not like broccoli. I tolerate an occasional floret dipped in ranch every now and then but for the most part...it's not a staple in my diet. Oh but it should be- broccoli is like a super duper food. Its loaded with lots of life saving stuff. I'll get to that later. So since I'm on this whole kick of getting my body totally healthy, I've decided to try to make certain super duper foods a regular visitor in my diet and Sir Broccoli is at the top of the list. Hence, I sought out to find a cool recipe that may overshadow that taste I'm not to fond of...resulting in the discovery of the Broccoli Mango salad. I have not tried it yet but will sometime this week. You should try it out too and let me know how yours turns out. Here is the recipe:

Prep Time: Ready In:

20 Min 4 Hrs 20 Min

Yield 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

4 cups chopped broccoli

1 large mango, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup cashews

1 small red onion, cut into thin wedges

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

Directions

1. Combine ranch dressing, orange juice, and horseradish in a bowl; mix well and set aside.

2. Toss together the chopped broccoli, cubed mango, cashews, and wedged onion in a salad bowl.

3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

4. Add the drained oranges to the salad just before serving.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 148 | Total Fat: 7.7g | Cholesterol: 4mg

Source: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/broccoli-mango-salad/Detail.aspx

I'll let you know how it turns out!

Let's take a U-turn and go back to why its worth finding ways to add broccoli to your plate more often even when the taste makes you gag.

1. Possible anti-cancer properties Broccoli is loaded with phytochemicals that many scientists believe help to silence cancer causing agents in the body

2. A Green Orange with Florets:Vitamin C Broccoli scores high in nutrient density for vitamin C

3. More Calcium than milk Maybe a little exaggerated but if you do not drink milk, broccoli is the way to go for healthy bones

4. Holds the Vitamin A Heavy Weight Champion Belt Rich in beta carotene, the plant precursor of Vitamin A before it enters the body. Vision, healthy skin and a functioning immune system are all important to me. How about you?

5. Fiber Fantastic It meets both needs for soluble and insoluble fiber- two for the price of one!

These are just a few of the reasons broccoli should make it on your dinner plate tonight. Do some more research...I'm sure you will agree and make the effort- I know I am trying!

By the way, look for an update on the Broccoli Mango Salad!

The Food Court: Danger, Will Robinson

So earlier today, I took a day trip with my little sister, her friend and my mom to the art museum and to the movies- btw Toy Story 3 was awesome! We started off the day around mid morning and after approximately an hour and a half of oooing and awwing at funky new age furniture designs at the museum we were completely famished. We headed to the nearby mall to grab lunch and an afternoon movie. Sounds innocent...right? WRONG! The prospect of Lunch at the local mall placed me in imminent danger of going against all my NEW eating philosophies...the grease, the preservatives, the filth. URGH! Had I packed a lunch or eaten at home, I would've had a nice turkey sandwich with a couple of kettle chips, a hand full of grapes, maybe 5-7 almonds and a nice bottle of Crystal Springs water. Unfortunately, that was not the case; Sbarro, Great Wraps, Chick-fil-a and the Mandarin Express all beckoned me a once. I stood there imagining red pepper flakes in the midst of the puddle of grease collecting around the pepperoni on a nice slice of pizza. I drooled over the prospect of twirling lo mein noodles around a small plastic fork with a piece of orange chicken stabbed at the end. Even more vivid was the image of a Kid's Meal 4 piece nugget from Chick-fil-a with an Icedream instead of a toy all for $3.52. What to do? What to do? I've been trying so hard to rid my body of these nasty toxins...saturated fats, veggies cooked to the point of no nutritional value and brain cell killing preservatives. Now to each of these food establishments' credit, they did offer healthier alternatives to what I described above. However, who in their right mind would prefer a bland chicken wrap or a pitiful ceasar salad that will undoubtedly be unsatisfying in comparison to the other not so healthy alternatives? Not Me! I caved! A small order of fries from Great Wraps (curly, whirly and delicious) and a small order of orange chicken (no comment)! Yes, yes, I know, I know ...I am supposed to promote fun and healthy living. The point is yes, I must maintain focus and be very disciplined to stand the course of living a healthy life but jeeze...it sure would be a lot easier if the junk was not readily available. Are they trying to kill us or do they just not care?